Origins of Polo in Manipur and Silchar Polo Club

Silchar Polo Club and the origins of Polo in Manipur

From Sagol Kangjei to Polo – Recording the evolution of the game in Manipur

The game of Polo is said to have originated in ancient Persia around 5th century BC and passed on to other parts of Asia including the Indian subcontinent over the years. However, the beginnings of Polo in the modern age and its origins in India can be traced back to the north eastern state of Manipur.

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Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international patron Ashok Singhal in Guwahati

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) international patron Ashok Singhal addressing a press conference, at Haryana Bhawan in Guwahati on Thursday. (Sentinel)

Chief Minister’s Special Scheme for erosion affected people

Minister of State for Fisheries Basanta Das accompanied by Zila Parishad Member Chandan Barua giving away a cheque amounting to Rs 5000 being the Chief Minister’s Special Scheme for erosion affected people in a function organized at Pub Mangaldai Development Block in Darrang district recently. (Sentinel)

Workers from Orissa working on the Jagannath Cultural Complex coming up at Jokai area of Dibrugarh

Workers from Orissa working on the Jagannath Cultural Complex coming up at Jokai area of Dibrugarh under the initiative of Assam Governor JB Patnaik. (Sentinel)

Members of the All Assam Lawyers’ Association (AALA) protesting against the killing of Jhankar Saikia and assault on Advocate Haren Saikia

Members of the All Assam Lawyers’ Association (AALA) staging a sit-in -demonstration, within the CJM Court premises in Guwahati on Thursday, protesting against the killing of Jhankar Saikia and assault on Advocate Haren Saikia. Advocate Haren Saikia and his son Jhankar Saikia were thrashed by auto drivers after a heated argument over auto-rickshaw fare on June 25 last. The advocate and his son were admitted to the civil hospital and were later shifted to a private hospital in Guwahati where the youth died due to internal bleeding on July 1. (Sentinel)

Book Borna Sabha Bakya Parichay written by Joba Phukan Das

Writer Kapil Thakur (3rd Right) along with other dignitaries releasing a book titled ’’Borna Sabha Bakya Parichay’’ written by Joba Phukan Das, at Guwahati Press Club on Thursday. (Sentinel)

Silchar–Lumding BG Line Conversion Project

ABYSA to stage protest demonstration

SILCHAR, July 25: All Barak Youth Students’ Association (ABYSA) expressed its resentment at the frequent changing of the dateline for the completion of Silchar–Lumding BG, the construction of which according to the recently updated NF Railway website may get complete by December 2016 provided adequate funds are allocated.

DoNER Minister Paban Singh Ghatowar during his official visit to Silchar much ago said that broad–gauge would be the 2014 New Year gift for the people of Barak Valley. But, keeping the pace of ongoing work in view, it is not much difficult to say that the broad–gauge would not be completed by next three to four years.

Baharul Islam Barbhuiya, secretary of ABYSA, however, vociferously said that the construction work should be completed by December 2014. “There have been numerous changes in the dateline and now we want broad–gauge by December 2014.” He added that the construction work of tunnel number 7, 10, 11 and a few bridges has been clogged for many days which should be started anyhow within next fifteen days.

He said that the work, which is going on snail’s pace, has to be completed on war–footing. Hundreds of members of ABYSA would stage protest demonstration in the capital next month in support of their demand. Baharul said that they would stage demonstration before the official residences of two “failed” MPs of Barak Valley, Minister of Railways and the office of the Railways.

Baharul also decried the demand of the MLAs of Barak Valley who recently requested the Chief Minister to appoint an IAS level Liaison Officer at Haflong to inspect the ongoing work. He said that the project had been facing the technical difficulties and under such circumstances what was the logic of appointing a Liaison Officer.

ABYSA has been demanding since long that skilled engineers of NF Railways and SF Railways who have a vast experience of working under difficult situations should be appointed to monitor the work.

Slamming the Prime Minister for his silence in the issue, Baharul said that “it is quite unfortunate that Dr Manmohan Singh who has nominated as an MP from Assam for six times has been maintaining an intriguing silence”. He said that keeping an eye in the next year’s elections, the ruling party has been trying to hoodwink the people by offering false assurances about the BG. He alleged that PM and DoNER Minister are also involved in the syndicate which has taken the Barak people for a ride.

Source : The Sentinel 

Erosion by river Barak at Panchgram area of Hailakandi along NH–37

NH–37 goes under Barak water, disrupting communication

SILCHAR, July 20: The erosion by river Barak at Panchgram area of Hailakandi district along NH–37, earlier known as NH–53, has become a nightmare for the people residing in that area.

The present condition has become a matter of concern as the stretch of highway near Panchgram is being fast eroded by the river Barak as it already has swallowed up half of the road of NH–37 that connects Barak Valley with Imphal. Following the heavy showers in the last few days, the highway has been badly submerged under river water causing problem to the vehicular traffic.

The road is considered as one of the important lifelines of people of Barak Valley including Manipur and Mizoram as it provides connectivity to NH–6 linking Badarpur with Jowai as well as NH–54 that connects Aizwal, the capital of Mizoram.

Nabendu Sekhar Nath, president of Katigorah Development Committee, after taking the stock of the situation talked to Shibasish Bhowmik, secretary to the Governor of Assam, over telephone and apprised him of the situation of the highway. Nath requested Shibasish Bhowmik to inform the situation to the Governor.

If the movement of vehicular traffic is disrupted, possibility of which is not distant, it will obstruct the supply of essential commodities to the States of Mizoram, Manipur and Barak Valley.

Source: http://www.sentinelassam.com/cachar/story.php?sec=2&subsec=12&id=165543&dtP=2013-07-20&ppr=1#165543

Citizens’ Forum against Assam as ‘tribal state’

Citizens’ Forum garners mass support against ’tribal state’ demand

SILCHAR, July 19: Citizens’ Forum has launched a drive here to garner mass support to thwart the possibilities, if any, of declaring Assam as ‘tribal state’ in line with pro–talks ULFA’s demand.

The Forum has held several street corner meetings yesterday and today across the town and will stage a protest demonstration in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner tomorrow, demanding clarification of the CM’s ‘tribal state’ remark.

Paristosh Paul Chowdhury, a senior journalist and social activist, said that the identity of around 1.5 crores Bengali speaking people is under threat following the reported statement of Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi, that his government would have no objection to the ULFA’s demand of ‘tribal state’ or to give Assam the status of ‘tribal state.’

Dubbing the statement of the CM as ‘unfortunate, undemocratic and unconstitutional, Paul Chowdhury said that Assam is a multilingual and multiethnic State where two third of total population belongs to non–tribal communities.

He added that the demography of Assam changed completely after the independence with the formation of different States like Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, all of which are tribal dominated. In Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong districts of Assam, there is independent zilla parishad for tribal communities. For the benefit of tribal people living in plain areas, Bodoland Territorial Council was formed comprising four districts in lower Assam.

“Considered against this demographic profile and also in view of the fact that 80 per cent population of Barak Valley is Bengali, the demand for ‘tribal state’ could hardly be relevant and justified,” he added.

Paritosh Paul Chowdhury asked clarification from the Chief Minister on his “controversial” remark. He also said that the Union Home Minister also should apprise the people of Assam regarding its move on this sensitive matter.

Sadhan Purkayastha, secretary of Amora Bangalee, said that if this concept of tribal state is accepted, it is quite apprehended that it would only create ground for conflicts and strifes and even lead to bloody situation. “We also want that a peace agreement should be signed between the Centre and the ULFA. But, the controversial and sensitive issues, better to say contentious, have to be avoided in the larger interest of the State,” he added

Source: http://www.sentinelassam.com/cachar/story.php?sec=2&subsec=12&id=165429&dtP=2013-07-19&ppr=1#165429

Members of ’fb frndz club’ collecting money for the flood victims in Uttarakhand

Members of ’fb frndz club’ collecting money for the flood victims in Uttarakhand. (Sentinel)